Rosh Hashana

Rosh Hashana

Rosh Hashana, the Jewish new year, translates to “the head of the year”, and is celebrated as the “birthday of the world” when Gd created Adam and Eve. Here are some traditions and customs that we follow throughout the holiday season.

It is customary as the central observance of the holiday to blow and hear the shofar, traditionally made from a ram’s horn.

Why do we blow the shofar on Rosh Hashana?

The Torah does not specify why we blow the shofar on Rosh Hashana however our sages give several reasons for this special mitzvah (commandment).

On Rosh Hashana, we coronate Gd as our King. The sound of the shofar’s loud call invites this great event and the piercing sounds of the shofar’s call is meant to awaken souls that have grown complacent, encouraging connection and repentance. Additionally, we recall when Gd descended Mount Sinai and gave the Jewish people the Torah. It is said that the sounds of a shofar’s blasts were heard during that monumental affair. It is also noted that the sound of the shofar is said to echo the war cries of our enemies that destroyed our two Temples.

Interestingly, the shofar is made from a ram’s horn. In the story of Akedas Yitzchak, the near-sacrifice of Isaac, Gd shows Abraham a ram to bring as an offering instead of his son.

The loud piercing sounds of the shofar’s call humbles us and fills us with awe before Gd. It is said that the sounds of the shofar will be heard around the world in the coming of Moshiach and hearing the shofar on Rosh Hashana fills us with hope for the immediate redemption. Finally, the Chassidic opinion teaches us that the cry of the shofar is that of a child who cries out for their parent, a longing and yearning so deep and primal. Our souls call out to Gd as the ultimate Father at the time of the shofar blowing.

When do we blow the shofar?

Aside from Rosh Hashana, it is customary to listen to the shofar blowing throughout the month of Elul to invoke the holiness that Rosh Hashana brings. It is also blown at the end of the fast of Yom Kippur, as one last call to Gd before Heaven’s gates close.

What do we eat on Rosh Hashana?

Aside from the festive meals we eat throughout Rosh Hashana, we eat customary foods. The Challah we eat, that is traditionally round on Rosh Hashana, is dipped into honey instead of salt to bring on a sweet new year. We do this on Rosh Hashana, before Yom Kippur, and throughout Sukkot.

It is also customary, following the sweet theme, to eat apples dipped in honey as we ask Gd to renew us for a good and sweet year.

Many eat pomegranate, which symbolizes the 613 Mitzvot (commandments) in the Torah, as an indication that our merits be like the many seeds of a pomegranate. Some eat carrots (tzimmes), merren in Yiddish, which also means “increase” symbolizing a year of abundance.

What is done in observance of Rosh Hashana?

Much of the day is spent in synagogue where we ask and pray that Gd grant us a sweet new year and the morning services in particular are significantly longer. The prayer book we use on Rosh Hashana, as well as on Yom Kippur, called a machzor, contains all the prayers and Torah reading for the day including everything read during the shofar blowing. On the second morning of Rosh Hashana, we read about Akedat Yitzchak, and as we mentioned earlier, the shofar blowing recalls the ram that Abraham brought as a sacrifice instead of the near-sacrifice of his son, Isaac.

They’re called the High Holidays. What’s next?

After we celebrate Rosh Hashana as the Jewish New Years, the next notable holiday is that of Yom Kippur, and the days between are known as the ten days of repentance. These days leading up to the holiest day of the year, Yom Kippur, are an invitation to repent and return to Gd. Yom Kippur is then followed by Sukkot and Simchat Torah, where we feast, celebrate and dance with the Torah knowing and hoping that Gd has prescribed us in the book of life, for a sweet new year.

Wishing you all a joyous holiday and sweet New Year from Judaica.com! Happy Rosh Hashana!